Loading patent…
OwnerSteven Craig Ball, John Morris Barnard SR. +1inventors
InventorsSteven Craig Ball, John Morris Barnard SR., James Alan Snipes
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method for sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly constructed and arranged to removably cover the top of the draw furnace while mating with the downfeed handle. The apparatus includes an elongated sleeve having a base and a sealing mechanism positioned on the sleeve at a location remote from the base. The sleeve defines a chamber for receiving the downfeed handle, and the sealing mechanism is arranged with respect to the sleeve to mate with the downfeed handle received in the chamber. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further includes an inert gas purge for providing an inert atmosphere within the chamber. A method of sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace is also disclosed.
An apparatus for cooperating with a downfeed handle to seal the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace, said apparatus comprising:
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said sealing mechanism comprises a circumferential gasket remote from the base, the gasket being positioned with respect to the sleeve such that the gasket conforms to the periphery of the downfeed handle.
An apparatus for cooperating with a downfeed handle to seal the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace, said apparatus comprising:
A method of sealing the top of an optical waveguide draw furnace, said method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.